Data and control multiplexing in PUSCH in wireless networks

ABSTRACT

Transmission of information in a wireless network is performed by allocating a channel from a transmitter to a receiver. The channel has at least one time slot with each time slot having a plurality of symbols. Each slot contains at least one reference symbol (RS). As information becomes available for transmission, it is classified as prioritized information (PI) and other information. One or more priority symbols are generated using the digital samples of the priority information. Other symbols are generated using the other data. Priority symbols are transmitted on the channel in a manner that separation of priority symbol(s) and a reference symbol does not exceed a time duration of one symbol. For example, Rank Indicator (RI) is transmitted using symbol k, ACKNAK is transmitted using symbol k+1; and the reference signal (RS) is transmitted using symbol k+2, wherein symbols k, k+1, and k+2 are consecutive in time. The other symbols are transmitted in available locations.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY UNDER 35 U.S.C. 119(e)

This application is a continuation of U.S. Non-Provisional applicationSer. No. 12/364,499 filed on Feb. 2, 2009;

Which claims priority to and incorporates by reference U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 61/026,215, filed on Feb. 5, 2008 entitled“Considerations on Data and Control Multiplexing on PUSCH.”

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of this invention generally relate to wirelesscommunications, and examples of embodiments can be applied in cellularcommunication systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Wireless cellular communication networks incorporate a number of mobileUEs and a number of NodeBs. A NodeB is generally a fixed station, andmay also be called a base transceiver system (BTS), an access point(AP), a base station (BS), or some other equivalent terminology. Asimprovements of networks are made, the NodeB functionality evolves, so aNodeB is sometimes also referred to as an evolved NodeB (eNB). Ingeneral, NodeB hardware, when deployed, is fixed and stationary, whilethe UE hardware is portable.

In contrast to NodeB, the mobile UE can comprise portable hardware. Userequipment (UE), also commonly referred to as terminal or mobile station,may be fixed or mobile device and may be a wireless device, a cellularphone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a wireless modem card, and soon. Uplink communication (UL) refers to a communication between themobile UE and the NodeB, whereas downlink (DL) refers to communicationfrom the NodeB to the mobile UE. Each NodeB contains radio frequencytransmitter(s) and the receiver(s) used to communicate directly with themobiles, which move freely around it. Similarly, each mobile UE containsradio frequency transmitter(s) and the receiver(s) used to communicatedirectly with the NodeB. In cellular networks, the mobiles cannotcommunicate directly with each other but have to communicate with theNodeB. Embodiments of the invention, however, can be applied even beyondsuch cellular networks, since only concepts of wireless transmission andreception are needed. Nevertheless, the present invention will bedescribed in the context of a cellular network.

Control information bits are transmitted, for example, in the uplink(UL), for several purposes. For instance, Downlink Hybrid AutomaticRepeat ReQuest (HARQ) requires at least one bit of ACK/NACK transmittedinformation in the uplink, indicating successful or failed circularredundancy check(s) (CRC). Furthermore, an indicator of downlink channel(CQI) needs to be transmitted in the uplink to support mobile UEscheduling in the downlink. While CQI may be transmitted based on aperiodic or triggered mechanism, the ACK/NACK needs to be transmitted ina timely manner to support the HARQ operation. Note that ACK/NACK issometimes denoted as ACKNAK or just simply ACK, or any other equivalentterm. As seen from this example, some elements of the controlinformation should be provided additional protection, when compared withother information. For instance, the ACKNACK information is typicallyrequired to be highly reliable in order to support an appropriate andaccurate HARQ operation. This uplink control information is typicallytransmitted using the physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), asdefined by the 3GPP working groups (WG), for evolved universalterrestrial radio access (EUTRA). The EUTRA is sometimes also referredto as 3GPP long-term evolution (3GPP LTE). For said reasons, structureof the PUCCH provides for sufficiently high transmission reliability.

In addition to PUCCH, the EUTRA standard also defines a physical uplinkshared channel (PUSCH), intended for transmission of uplink user data.The Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) can be dynamically scheduled.This means that time-frequency resources of PUSCH are re-allocated everysub-frame. This (re)allocation is communicated to the mobile UE usingthe Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH). Alternatively, resourcesof the PUSCH can be allocated semi-statically, via the mechanism ofpersistent scheduling. Thus, any given time-frequency PUSCH resource canpossibly be used by any mobile UE, depending on the schedulerallocation. Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) is different thanthe PUSCH, and the PUCCH is used for transmission of uplink controlinformation (UCI). Frequency resources which are allocated for PUCCH arefound at the two extreme edges of the uplink frequency spectrum. Incontrast, frequency resources which are used for PUSCH are in between.Since PUSCH is designed for transmission of user data, re-transmissionsare possible, and PUSCH is expected to be generally scheduled with lessstand-alone sub-frame reliability than PUCCH.

The concept of a reference signal (RS) is important for some embodimentsof the present invention. The RS is a pre-defined signal, pre-known toboth transmitter and receiver. Typically, the transmitted RS signalcarries no information. At times though, this requirement can beslightly relaxed, and, the transmitted RS signal can actually carry somesmall amount of information, in comparison to other signals. Still, forpurposes of describing the Present Invention, the RS can mostly bethought as deterministic from the perspective of both transmitter andreceiver. The RS is typically transmitted in order for the receiver toestimate the signal propagation medium. This process is also known as“channel estimation.” Thus, RS can be transmitted to facilitate channelestimation. Upon deriving channel estimates, these estimates are usedfor demodulation of transmitted information. As common in theliterature, demodulation is a process of recovering information from themodulated (and transmitted) signal. This type of RS is sometimesreferred to as De-Modulation RS or DM RS. Note that RS can also betransmitted for other purposes, such as channel sounding,synchronization, or any other purpose. Also note that Reference Signal(RS) can be sometimes called the pilot signal, or the training signal,or any other equivalent term.

Turbo codes are a class of high-performance error correction codesdeveloped in 1993 which are finding use in deep space satellitecommunications and other applications where designers seek to achievemaximal information transfer over a limited-bandwidth communication linkin the presence of data-corrupting noise. The channel coding scheme fortransport blocks in LTE is Turbo Coding with a coding rate of R=⅓, usingtwo 8-state constituent encoders and a contention-free quadraticpermutation polynomial (QPP) turbo code internal interleaver. Trellistermination is used for the turbo coding. Before the turbo coding,transport blocks are segmented into byte aligned segments with a maximuminformation block size of 6144 bits. Error detection is supported by theuse of 24 bit CRC. The ⅓ coding rate triples the bit-count fortransmission of the block. The general operations of channel coding aredescribed in the EUTRA specifications, for example: “3^(rd) GenerationPartnership Project; Technical Specification Group Radio Access Network;Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA); Multiplexing andchannel coding (TS36.212, Release 8).”

The 3GPP working groups are developing a set of standards. 3GPP TS36.211, “3rd Generation Partnership Project; Technical SpecificationGroup Radio Access Network; Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access(E-UTRA); Physical Channels and Modulation (Release 8)” defines aspectsof the physical channels and modulation. 3GPP TS 36.212“3^(rd)Generation Partnership Project; Technical Specification Group RadioAccess Network; Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA);Multiplexing and channel coding (Release 8)” defines aspects ofmultiplexing and channel coding. Both of these documents as well asother 3GPP standards are evolving over time as the working groups addnew concepts and definitions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Particular embodiments in accordance with the invention will now bedescribed, by way of example only, and with reference to theaccompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is an illustrative format of an up-link transmission PUSCHchannel for use in the network of FIG. 12;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a Channelizer that forms a signal fortransmission using the format of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3-9 are flow diagrams illustrating various ways of forming anuplink signal using the format of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a cellular phone for use in the network ofFIG. 12;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating operation of a NodeB and a UserEquipment in the network system of FIG. 12;

FIG. 12 is a pictorial of an illustrative telecommunications networkthat supports transmission of uplink channels with prioritized symbols;

FIG. 13 is a flow diagram illustrating uplink transmission in thenetwork system of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a flow diagram illustrating another embodiment of uplinktransmission in the network of FIG. 12; and

FIG. 15 is a flow diagram illustrating yet another embodiment of uplinktransmission in the network of FIG. 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Certain disclosed embodiments of the present invention include apparatusand methods for transmitting and receiving elements of uplink controlinformation (UCI) on physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH), even inscenarios where PUCCH is actually configured and allocated to a user. Insome embodiments of the invention, transmission is made in such a mannerthat elements of control information are transmitted either on a PUCCHwhen no other data is available for transmission; otherwise,transmission is made on the PUSCH. By only using one channel at anygiven time, peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) is maintained at lowerlevels.

In the prior art, the PUSCH is designed to principally transport theuplink (UL) user data information. This user data information arrivesvia transport channels (TrCH), and transport channels are servicesoffered by Physical Layer to higher layers. Thus, user data, whicharrives from higher layers, is transported by transport channels.Physical Channels, in contrast, are actually a part of the PhysicalLayer. Consequently, in the prior art, the PUSCH only serves to provideservices to the Uplink Shared Channel (UL-SCH), which is a transportchannel (TrCH). In the prior art, the uplink control information iscarried by a Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH). Note that, as saidearlier, the PUCCH is physical channel which is different from PUSCH, ina number of aspects, including: structure, resource allocation, andtime-frequency resources.

In contrast to prior art, embodiments of the present inventionincorporate transmission of elements of the Uplink Control Information(UCI) using the PUSCH, even if PUCCH resources may be allocated to amobile UE. In addition to this, the present invention also describesspecifically which PUSCH resources are used to carry elements of theUCI. In order to do so, the present invention first introduces a broaderconcept of Prioritized Information. Prioritized Information can containelements of UCI which require additional (or high) transmissionreliability.

Prioritized Information can be regarded as the type of information whichshould be provided higher transmission reliability (in a givenstand-alone sub-frame) when compared with the rest of transmittedinformation. For example, elements of the uplink control information(UCI) can be regarded as Prioritized Information. Since elements of UCIare critical for maintenance of reliable uplink and downlink channels,the UCI should have better protection than Other Information. For thisreason, when designing a PUSCH sub-frame structure, where PrioritizedInformation is multiplexed with other Information, the PrioritizedInformation should be positioned in the vicinity of the Reference Signal(RS). Thus, channel estimates which are applied to the PrioritizedInformation are very accurate. Consequently, Prioritized Information(PI) is provided with a sufficient amount of protection. For example,especially in the scenario where the mobile moves with a relatively highvelocity, the channel still maintains coherence from the time oftransmission and/or reception of the RS to the time of transmissionand/or reception of the Prioritized Information. Thus, PrioritizedInformation (PI) is provided with a needed protection in terms of havingaccurate channel estimates.

Prioritized Information can comprise elements of Layer 1 (L1) and Layer2 (L2) Control Information. The Prioritized Information can alsocomprise elements of uplink control information (UCI). Morespecifically, the Prioritized Information can include ACKNAK (orACKNACK) feedback, CQI information, Rank Information, PMI information,UE buffer status, UE power status, scheduling request indicator, newdata indicator (NDI), or any other L1 and/or L2 control information.Note that certain elements of L1 and L2 control information may not needthe said additional protection, and consequently, these do not need tobe provisioned as a Prioritized Information. However, the elements or L1and L2 information which do require the additional protection areprovisioned to be Prioritized Information and will be placed in thevicinity of the RS.

The ACKNAK information is the feedback which is sent by the mobile UE tothe NodeB, in support of the downlink hybrid automatic repeat request(DL HARQ). The DL HARQ operates as follows. The NodeB transmits asub-frame or packet of data to the mobile UE, where the sub-framecontains error detection capability, via circular redundancy check(CRC). The UE then decodes the said sub-frame, and performs errordetection. If CRC passes, the mobile UE transmits an ACK to the NodeB,thus informing the NodeB of a successful transmission. However, if CRCfails, the mobile UE transmits a NACK (or NAK) to the NodeB, thusinforming the NodeB of a transmission failure. Thus, the describedfeedback (mobile UE to NodeB) is sometimes denoted as ACKNACK or ACKNAKfeedback, and is an element of L1/L2 control information. It isgenerally understood that ACKNACK has to be transmitted with a highreliability. Thus, it is recommended that ACKNACK be mapped in symbolswhich are adjacent to the RS. The ACKNACK information is a part ofuplink control information (UCI). Thus, in some embodiments, the ACKNAKinformation can be considered to be a Prioritized Information.

In some embodiments of the invention, a symbol is an OFDM symbol. Asymbol can be set of digital samples. A symbol can be a set of discretesamples. In some embodiments of the invention, a symbol is preceded by acyclic prefix transmission. Consecutive symbols are symbols which occurone after another. In some embodiments of the invention, there are notime gaps between consecutive symbols. In some embodiments of theinvention, gaps between consecutive symbols are due to cyclic prefix(CP). In some embodiments of the invention, gaps between consecutivesymbols are due to guard time.

Channel Quality Indicator (CQI) is obtained by measuring the quality ofthe downlink (DL) channel, or downlink channels. The measured quality ofthe DL channel(s) can be fed back (i.e. transmitted), by the mobile UE,to the NodeB. The CQI information is a part of uplink controlinformation (UCI). Thus, in some embodiments, the CQI information can beconsidered to be a Prioritized Information. Rank information isapplicable for MIMO signaling, and CQI is related to the RankInformation. The Rank information can describe, up to a certainprecision, and in some embodiments, the matrix rank of the MIMO downlinkchannel. The Rank information is a part of uplink control information(UCI). Thus, in some embodiments, the Rank information can be consideredto be a Prioritized Information. Pre-coder matrix index (PMI) is a typeof information by which the receiver indicates (or suggests), to thetransmitter, which pre-arranged transmit MIMO pre-coder should be used.Thus, in some embodiments, the PMI information can be considered to be aPrioritized Information. Note that Rank Information can be termed RankIndicator, Rank Indication, or any other equivalent term. In someembodiments of the invention, Rank Indication is a feedback sent fromthe mobile UE to the NodeB, suggesting (implicitly or explicitly) thenumber of Layers in MIMO transmission.

Scheduling request indicator (SRI) is a type of information whichindicates that the mobile UE requests an UL transmission of a certainquantity of data. Then, scheduling request may or may not be attended toby the NodeB. In some embodiments, the SRI information can be consideredto be a Prioritized Information.

Certain status of the mobile UE can also be prioritized. For instance,in some embodiments, the type of information by which the mobile UEinforms the NodeB of its buffer status, can be made a PriorityInformation. In some embodiments, the type of information by which themobile UE informs the NodeB of its power status, can be made a PriorityInformation. In some embodiments, the type of information by which themobile UE informs the NodeB of its battery status, can be made aPriority Information. Also, in some embodiments, data-associated ULcontrol information can be made a Priority Information as well. Thedata-associated UL control information is a type of information which isassociated with the UL data. For example, the modulation and codinginformation (which applies to the current PUSCH) can be considered to bedata-associated control information.

Another aspect of prioritization is that control information can beassigned priority levels. For example, ACKNAK can have the highestpriority level (e.g. level 0). CQI can have a lower priority level, etc.Note that certain control information can have same priority levels. Forexample, it would be possible to make ACKNAK and SRI have the samepriority level (e.g. level 0), since both them need to be received in atimely fashion with high detection performance.

Prioritized control information can be mapped surrounding the DM RS indecreasing order of priority. For instance, ACKNAK can be immediatelysurrounding the RS. Then, the next can be SRI, which is then surroundingthe ACKNAK information, etc. In general, information of priority level nis surrounding the information of priority level n−1. However, ifcertain two kinds of information are assigned identical priority levels,then they can be interleaved. In a first embodiment, the order ofpriority may be as follows: ACKNAK has the priority 0, SRI has thepriority 1, and Rank has the priority 2, and CQI has priority 3. Inanother embodiment, the order of priority may be as follows: ACKNAK hasthe priority 0, Rank has the priority 1, and CQI has priority 2, whenSRI is encoded separately. In yet another embodiment, the order ofpriority may be as follows: ACKNAK has the priority 0, Rank has thepriority 1, and SRI and CQI may be treated separately. Thus, thesequence of mapping this information surrounding the RS is determinedbased on the priority levels. In some embodiments of the invention,ACKNAK has the priority 0 and Rank has priority 1.

FIG. 12 shows an illustrative wireless telecommunications network 1200that supports transmission of uplink channels with prioritized symbols.The illustrative wireless telecommunications network includes NodeBs(base stations) 1201, 1202, and 1203, though in operation, atelecommunications network may include more NodeBs or fewer NodeBs. Eachof NodeBs 1201, 1202, and 1203 is operable over corresponding coverageareas 1204, 1205, and 1206. Each NodeBs coverage area can be furtherdivided into cells. In the illustrated network, each NodeBs coveragearea is divided into three cells. Handset or other UE 1209 is shown inCell A (labeled 1208), which is within coverage area base station 1201.Base station 1201 is transmitting to and receiving transmissions from UE1209. As UE 1209 moves out of the Cell A (1208), and into Cell B (1207),UE (1209) may be handed over to base station 1202.

FIG. 1 is an illustrative format of an UL transmission 1210 for use inthe network of FIG. 12. Elements of the present invention will bedescribed in the context of EUTRA sub-frame, even though itsapplicability is broader. FIG. 1 describes transmission of EUTRAsub-frame 100 (could be same as 1210) comprising two slots 101 and 102.Duration of the EUTRA sub-frame is 1 ms, which means that duration oftwo slots 101 and 102 is 0.5 ms each. Each slot comprises 7 symbols. Forexample, slot 101 comprises symbols 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109.The slot 102 comprises symbols 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116.Symbols 106 and 113 are Demodulation (DM) Reference Signals (RS), andare used to derive channel estimates which are needed for coherentdemodulation of the remaining Symbols. In addition to 106 and 113, theremay be, at times other RS, which are the sounding RS. Sounding RS can beconfigured by the NodeB. Position of the sounding RS is debated but mostlikely it will be either at the start or the beginning of the first andthe second slot. Each symbol has a time duration equal to approximatelyT, which is a function of the slot time. In this embodiment, the slottime is 500 μsec. Since the first symbol in the slot has more cyclicprefix samples, not all symbols are exactly equal in duration, as per3GPP TS36.211. Nevertheless, all symbols can be considered to beapproximately equal in duration, which doesn't exceed 75 μsec. Note thatif all symbols were exactly equal in duration, the symbol time T wouldapproximately be equal to 500 μsec/7=71.4 μsec.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram which illustrates operation of a Channelizer201 that can be used to form symbols of the sub-frame in FIG. 1. Anumber of symbols (non-RS) of the sub-frame 100 can be generated usingthe Channelizer in FIG. 2. The Channelizer of FIG. 2 begins with complexmodulated samples, which can belong to a constellation such as BPSK,QPSK, 8-PSK, 16 QAM, 64 QAM or some other constellations. This however,is not mandatory. Modulated Symbols 200 can be transformed by theTransform Pre-Coder 203. One example of the Transform Pre-Coder 203 isz[k]=βΣ _(i) d[i]exp(−j2πki/L),where sum Σ_(i) extends across all indexes “i” in {0, 1, . . . , L−1},where “j” is the complex unit, where π is the well-known constant(approximately 3.14), where d[i] are symbols of the sequence 200 whichenters the Transform Pre-Coder 203, where “L” is the length of both thesequence which enters (200) and the sequence which is outputted (204) bythe Transform Pre-Coder 203, where β is a normalization constant (e.g.inverse square root of L). Note the “L” can be the number of tonesallocated on PUSCH, for this particular mobile UE. In some embodiments,the Transform Pre-Coder 203 can be implemented using a Discrete FourierTransform (DFT). Transform Pre-Coder 203 is coupled to the Resource Map205, which describes the set of PUSCH tones which are allocated to theUE for the present sub-frame. Resource Map 205 is coupled with theBaseband Signal Generator 206. Thus, the Resource Map 205 maps saidsamples z[k] onto a[m], which is the input to the Baseband SignalGenerator. Thus, in some embodiments, sequence of a[m] contains samplesof the sequence z[k], along with some other possible samples (e.g.zero-insertion). One possible embodiment of the Baseband SignalGenerator 206 is given by the formulas(t)=Σ_(m) a[m+c]exp [j2π(m+½)(t−N _(CP) T _(s))Δf],where the sum Σ_(m) ranges over m. In accordance to the 3GPPspecification TS36.211, as T_(s)=1/(15000×2048) where “x” is justmultiplication. Here, Δf is 15 kHz. Here, N_(CP) is the number of CyclicPrefix (CP) samples, which can be transmitted for every symbol, ascommon in OFDM-based systems. Also note that N_(CP) can besymbol—dependent. Here, t is the continuous-time variable whose range isas 0≦t≦(N+N_(CP))T_(s) where N=2048. Here, sequence a[m+c] is assumed tohave M non-zero elements. Here, c is just an offset, which can be equal,for example, to floor(M/2). In this case, the sum Σ ranges over “m”inside the set {−floor(M/2), −floor(M/2)+1, . . . , ceil(M/2)−1}, wherefloor is the known “floor” function and “ceil” is the known ceilingfunction. Note that “m+½” in the above sum performs a frequency offsetof ½ tone, implemented in the baseband, for purpose of DC-offsetmitigation of the Direct Conversion problem. Note that this is just anembodiment of the Baseband Signal Generator 206, and other embodiments,which different specific numbers are possible. Thus, differentmodifications to the Baseband Signal Generator 206 are possible, whichdon't affect the scope of the Present Invention. Components of theBaseband Signal Generator can be implemented using the Inverse DiscreteFourier Transform (IDFT).

FIG. 3-FIG. 9 are diagrams illustrating various ways of forming a signalusing the format of FIG. 1. In some embodiments, the PrioritizedInformation can occupy one or more symbols which are adjacent to the RS,as shown in FIG. 3. In FIG. 3 the Prioritized information 309 ismodulated with a Second Modulator 308, while the Other Information ismodulated with the First Modulator 305. Note that First Modulator 305and Second Modulator 308 can be the same, or they can be different.Simple examples of either Modulator (305 or 308) include BPSK, QPSK,8-PSK, 16 QAM, 64 QAM, sequence modulation, or any other digitalmodulation techniques. However, note that neither First Modulator 305,nor the Second Modulator 308, are necessarily confined to these listedoptions. Also note that elements of Other Information in FIG. 3 can beprior encoded, or not. Also note that elements of PrioritizedInformation 308 can be prior encoded or not. First Modulator 305 iscoupled to the First Channelizer 304, which produces baseband signal301. One embodiment of the First Channelizer 304 is the describedChannelizer 221 in FIG. 2. Other embodiments of the First Channelizerare possible. Second Modulator 308 is coupled to the Second Channelizer307, which also produces baseband signal 302. One embodiment of theSecond Channelizer 307 is the described Channelizer 221 in FIG. 2. Otherembodiments of the First Channelizer are possible. For instance, the DFTpre-coder could be omitted in some embodiments. Note that, in FIG. 3,the Prioritized Information 309 is transmitted in the symbol 302, whichis adjacent to the RS symbol 303. Other Information can be mapped (in301) away from the RS symbol 303, and are thus given less protection.

FIG. 4 shows a PUSCH transmission slot in accordance with an embodimentof the invention. In FIG. 4, the slot is the PUSCH 3GPP EUTRA slot, witha described timing structure as described above. In FIG. 4, elements ofthe Prioritized Information are modulated with a correspondingModulator. In particular, Prioritized Information 422 is modulated withThird Modulator 416 while Prioritized Information 423 is modulated withthe Fourth Modulator 417. Note that Prioritized Information 422 andPrioritized Information 423 could be prior encoded which means that botharrive from one channel encoder. In some embodiments, 422 and 423 caneven be the same. Similarly, Other Information 420, 421, 424 and 425 canalso be prior encoded, where 420, 421, 424 and 425 arrive from onechannel encoder. Modulators 414, 415, 416, 417, 418 and 419 can beselected from BPSK, QPSK, 8-PSK, 16 QAM, 64 QAM, sequence modulation, orany other digital modulation techniques. This, however, is notmandatory. Channelizers 408, 409, 410, 411, 412, and 413 can be thedescribed Channelizer 221 in FIG. 2. Note that other embodiments ofChannelizers are possible, including variations of 221, such as removingthe Transform Precoder. Note that, in FIG. 4, the PrioritizedInformation 422 is transmitted in the symbol 403, which is adjacent tothe RS symbol 404. Similarly, the Prioritized Information 423 istransmitted in the symbol 405, which is adjacent to the RS symbol 404.Thus, the FIG. 4 can represent a slot structure for joint transmissionof Control Information and other Information on the physical uplinkshared channel (PUSCH).

FIG. 5 shows a PUSCH transmission slot in accordance with anotherembodiment of the invention. In FIG. 5, the slot is the PUSCH 3GPP EUTRAslot, with a described timing structure as described in theintroduction. In FIG. 5, elements of the Prioritized Information aremodulated with a corresponding Modulator. In particular, PrioritizedInformation 521 is modulated with the Second Modulator 515; PrioritizedInformation 522 is modulated with Third Modulator 516; PrioritizedInformation 524 is modulated with Fifth Modulator 518; and PrioritizedInformation 523 is modulated with the Fourth Modulator 517. Note thatPrioritized Information 521, 522, 523 and 524 could be prior encodedwhich means that all arrive from one channel encoder. In someembodiments, 521, 522, 523 and 524 can even be the same. Similarly,Other Information 520, 525 can also be prior encoded, where 520 and 525arrive from one channel encoder. Modulators 514, 515, 516, 517, 518 and519 can be selected from BPSK, QPSK, 8-PSK, 16 QAM, 64 QAM, sequencemodulation, or any other digital modulation techniques. This, however,is not mandatory. Channelizers 508, 509, 510, 511, 512, and 513 can bethe described Channelizer 221 in FIG. 2. Note that other embodiments ofChannelizers are possible, including variations of 221, such as removingthe Transform Precoder. Note that, in FIG. 5, the PrioritizedInformation 522 is transmitted in the symbol 503, which is adjacent tothe RS symbol 504. Similarly, the Prioritized Information 523 istransmitted in the symbol 505, which is adjacent to the RS symbol 504.In addition, note that Prioritized Information 521 is transmitted in thesymbol 502, which is second-adjacent to the RS symbol, and PrioritizedInformation 524 is transmitted in the symbol 506, which is alsosecond-adjacent to the RS symbol 504. This is tolerable since thesecond-adjacent symbol to the RS still maintains a substantial amount ofchannel coherence from the RS. Thus, in certain cases, it is possible touse the second-adjacent symbol to the RS. Thus, the FIG. 5 can representa slot structure for joint transmission of Control Information and otherInformation on the physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH).

In some embodiments, the Prioritized Information occupies fraction(s) ofone or more symbols which are adjacent to the RS, as shown in FIG. 6. InFIG. 6 the Prioritized Information 610 and the Other Information 609 aremapped to one symbol, namely the symbol 602. Note that PrioritizedInformation 610 and Other Information 609 both pass through the SecondModulator 607, which is coupled to the Second Channelizer 605. SecondChannelizer 605 can be the described Channelizer 221 in FIG. 2, or avariation thereof. First Channelizer 604 can be the describedChannelizer 221 in FIG. 2, or a variation thereof. Simple examples ofFirst Modulator 606 include BPSK, QPSK, 8-PSK, 16 QAM, 64 QAM, sequencemodulation, or any other digital modulation techniques. Similar holdsfor the Second Modulator 607. However, note that the 607 is used toModulate together both Other Information 609 and the PrioritizedInformation 610.

A possible embodiment of Second Modulator 607 is shown in 702 of FIG. 7.In 702, the Other Information 703 is mapped to complex samples 709 usingSymbol Mapper 706, while the Prioritized Information 704 is mapped tocomplex samples 708 using Symbol Mapper 707. Symbol Mappers 706 and 707can be simple BPSK, QPSK, 8-PSK, 16 QAM, 64 QAM, sequence modulation, orany other digital modulation techniques. Collection of complex samplesfrom 708 and 709 is performed using Symbol Collector 705. In someembodiments, the Symbol Collector 705 is used to simply multiplex theMapped Priority Information 708 and Mapped Other Information 709. Thismultiplexing can be performed in a number of different conventions. Forexample, in some embodiments, Symbol Collector 705 can simply append theMapped Priority Information 708 at the end of the Mapped OtherInformation 709. In other embodiments, Symbol Collector 705 can simplyappend the Mapped Other Information 709 at the end of the MappedPriority Information 708. In other embodiments, Symbol Collector 705 cansimply interlace the Mapped Other Information 709 and the MappedPriority Information 708. Note that other operations of a SymbolCollector 705, according to some pre-arranged convention are notprecluded. Thus in FIG. 7, the Mapped Other Information 709 and theMapped Priority Information 708 are Collected using the Symbol Collector705 to produce Modulated Samples 701. Thus, FIG. 7 shows a possibleoperation of the Second Modulator 607. Modulated Samples go through theSecond Channelizer 605, which produces baseband signal 602. Thus, inFIG. 6, the Prioritized Information 610 is carried on baseband signal602, which are adjacent to baseband reference signal 603.

FIG. 8 shows a PUSCH transmission slot in accordance with anotherembodiment of the invention. In FIG. 8, the slot is the PUSCH 3GPP EUTRAslot, with a described timing structure as described in theintroduction. Note that in FIG. 8, the Prioritized Information 823 iscarried on baseband signal 803, while the Prioritized Information 825 iscarried on baseband signal 805. Since baseband signals 823 and 825surround the baseband RS signal in 824, the Prioritized Information 823and 825 is given protection in high-mobility environments. However, alsonote that baseband signal 803 also carry elements of Other Information822, as shown in FIG. 8. Similarly, baseband signal 805 also carrieselements of Other Information 824, as shown in FIG. 8. Thus, in FIG. 8,the Third Modulator 816 is used to Modulate together both OtherInformation 822 and the Prioritized Information 823. Similarly, theFourth Modulator 817 is used to Modulate together both Other Information824 and the Prioritized Information 825. A Possible embodiment of theThird Modulator 816 and the Fourth Modulator 817 is shown by 702 of FIG.7. In 702, the Other Information 703 is mapped to complex samples 709using Symbol Mapper 706, while the Prioritized Information 704 is mappedto complex samples 708 using Symbol Mapper 707. Symbol Mappers 706 and707 can be simple BPSK, QPSK, 8-PSK, 16 QAM, 64 QAM, sequencemodulation, or any other digital modulation techniques. Collection ofcomplex samples from 708 and 709 is performed using Symbol Collector705. In some embodiments, the Symbol Collector 705 is used to simplymultiplex the Mapped Priority Information 708 and Mapped OtherInformation 709. This multiplexing can be performed in a number ofdifferent conventions. For example, in some embodiments, SymbolCollector 705 can simply append the Mapped Priority Information 708 atthe end of the Mapped Other Information 709. In other embodiments,Symbol Collector 705 can simply append the Mapped Other Information 709at the end of the Mapped Priority Information 708. In other embodiments,Symbol Collector 705 can simply interlace the Mapped Other Information709 and the Mapped Priority Information 708. Note that other operationsof a Symbol Collector 705, according to some pre-arranged convention arenot precluded. Thus in FIG. 7, the Mapped Other Information 709 and theMapped Priority Information 708 are Collected using the Symbol Collector705 to produce Modulated Samples 701. In FIG. 8, the PrioritizedInformation 823 and 825 could be prior-encoded which means that botharrive from one channel encoder. In some embodiments, 823 and 825 couldeven be identical. Similarly, Other Information 820, 821, 822, 824, 826and 827 can also be prior encoded, where 820, 821, 822, 824, 826 and 827all arrive from one channel coder. The encoding may be performed using aturbo encoder using known techniques. Modulators 814, 815, 818 and 819can be selected from BPSK, QPSK, 8-PSK, 16 QAM, 64 QAM, sequencemodulation, or any other digital modulation techniques. This, however,is not mandatory. Channelizers 808, 809, 810, 811, 812, and 813 can bethe described Channelizer 221 in FIG. 2. Note that other embodiments ofChannelizers are possible, including variations of 221, such as removingthe Transform Precoder. Note that, in FIG. 8, the PrioritizedInformation 823 is transmitted in the symbol 803, which is adjacent tothe RS symbol 804. Similarly, the Prioritized Information 825 istransmitted in the symbol 805, which is adjacent to the RS symbol 804.Thus, the FIG. 8 can represent a slot structure for joint transmissionof Control Information and other Information on the physical uplinkshared channel (PUSCH).

As discussed earlier control information can be assigned prioritylevels. For example, ACKNAK can have the highest priority level (e.g.level 0). Therefore, in one embodiment, prioritized information 823 and825 is ACKNAK information. The ACK information may be encoded asfollows: each positive acknowledgement (ACK) is encoded as a binary ‘1’and each negative acknowledgement (NAK) is encoded as a binary ‘0’. IfACK consists of 1-bit of information, i.e., [o₀ ^(ACK)], may be isencoded according to Table 1. If ACK consists of 2-bits of information,i.e., [o₀ ^(ACK)o₁ ^(ACK)] with o₀ ^(ACK) corresponding to ACK/NACK bitfor codeword 0 and o₁ ^(ACK) corresponding to that for codeword 1, itmay be encoded according to Table 2 where o₂ ^(ACK)=(o₀ ^(ACK)+o₁^(ACK))mod 2.

TABLE 1 Encoding of 1-bit ACK Q_(m) Encoded ACK 2 [o₀ ^(ACK) y] 4 [o₀^(ACK) y x x 6 [o₀ ^(ACK) y x x x x]

TABLE 2 Encoding of 2-bit ACK Q_(m) Encoded ACK 2 [o₀ ^(ACK) o₁ ^(ACK)o₂ ^(ACK) o₀ ^(ACK) o₁ ^(ACK) o₂ ^(ACK)] 4 [O₀ ^(ACK) O₁ ^(ACK) X X O₂^(ACK) O₀ ^(ACK) X X O₁ ^(ACK) O₂ ^(ACK) X X] 6 [o₀ ^(ACK) o₁ ^(ACK) x xx x o₂ ^(ACK) o₀ ^(ACK) x x x x o₁ ^(ACK) o₂ ^(ACK) x x x x]

The “x” and “y” in Table 1 and Table 2 are placeholders to scramble theACK bits with other information 822, 824 in a way that maximizes theEuclidean distance of the modulation symbols carrying ACK information.

Similarly, if the highest priority information is rank indication (RI),the corresponding bit widths for rank indication feedback for PDSCHtransmissions are given by Table 3 and Table 4. If RI consists of 1-bitof information, i.e., [o₀ ^(RI)], it may be encoded according to Table3. If RI consists of 2-bits of information, i.e., [o₀ ^(RI) o₁ ^(RI)]with O₀ ^(RI) corresponding to MSB of 2-bit input and O₁ ^(RI)corresponding to LSB, it may be encoded according to Table 4 where o₂^(RI)=(o₀ ^(RI)+o₁ ^(RI))mod 2.

TABLE 4 Encoding of 1-bit RI Q_(m) Encoded RI 2 [o₀ ^(RI) y] 4 [o₀ ^(RI)y x x] 6 [o₀ ^(RI) y x x x x]

TABLE 4 Encoding of 2-bit RI Q_(m) Encoded RI 2 [o₀ ^(RI) o₁ ^(RI) o₂^(RI) o₀ ^(RI) o₁ ^(RI) o₂ ^(RI)] 4 [o₀ ^(RI) o₁ ^(RI) x x o₂ ^(RI) o₀^(RI) x x o₁ ^(RI) o₂ ^(RI) x x] 6 [O₀ ^(RI) O₁ ^(RI) X X X X O₂ ^(RI)O₀ ^(RI) X X X X O₁ ^(RI) O₂ ^(RI) X X X X]

The “x” and “y” in Table 3 and Table 4 are placeholders to scramble theRI bits with other information 822 824 in a way that maximizes theEuclidean distance of the modulation symbols carrying rank information.

FIG. 9 shows a PUSCH transmission slot in accordance with anotherembodiment of the invention. In FIG. 9, the slot is the PUSCH 3GPP EUTRAslot, with a described timing structure as described in theintroduction. Note that in FIG. 9, the Prioritized Information 922 iscarried on baseband signal 902; the Prioritized Information 924 iscarried on baseband signal 903; the Prioritized Information 926 iscarried on baseband signal 905; the Prioritized Information 928 iscarried on baseband signal 906. Since baseband signal 923 and 925surround the baseband RS signal in 924, the Prioritized Information 924and 926 is given protection in high-mobility environments. In addition,since signals 902 and 906 are baseband signals which are second-adjacentto the RS in 924, the Prioritized Information 922 and 928 is givencertain protection in high-mobility environments. Thus, in FIG. 9, theSecond Modulator 915 is used to Modulate together both Other Information912 and the Prioritized Information 922. Thus, in FIG. 9, the ThirdModulator 916 is used to Modulate together both Other Information 923and the Prioritized Information 924. Thus, in FIG. 9, the FourthModulator 917 is used to Modulate together both Other Information 925and the Prioritized Information 926. Thus, in FIG. 9, the FifthModulator 918 is used to Modulate together both Other Information 927and the Prioritized Information 928. A Possible embodiment of Modulators915, 916, 917 and 918 is shown by 702 of FIG. 7. In 702, the OtherInformation 703 is mapped to complex samples 709 using Symbol Mapper706, while the Prioritized Information 704 is mapped to complex samples708 using Symbol Mapper 707. Symbol Mappers 706 and 707 can be simpleBPSK, QPSK, 8-PSK, 16 QAM, 64 QAM, sequence modulation, or any otherdigital modulation techniques. Collection of complex samples from 708and 709 is performed using Symbol Collector 705. In some embodiments,the Symbol Collector 705 is used to simply multiplex the Mapped PriorityInformation 708 and Mapped Other Information 709. This multiplexing canbe performed in a number of different conventions. For example, in someembodiments, Symbol Collector 705 can simply append the Mapped PriorityInformation 708 at the end of the Mapped Other Information 709. In otherembodiments, Symbol Collector 705 can simply append the Mapped OtherInformation 709 at the end of the Mapped Priority Information 708. Inother embodiments, Symbol Collector 705 can simply interlace the MappedOther Information 709 and the Mapped Priority Information 708. Note thatother operations of a Symbol Collector 705, according to somepre-arranged convention are not precluded. Thus in FIG. 7, the MappedOther Information 709 and the Mapped Priority Information 708 areCollected using the Symbol Collector 705 to produce Modulated Samples701. In FIG. 9, the Prioritized Information 922, 924, 926, 928 could beprior-encoded which means that all arrive from one channel encoder. Insome embodiments, 922, 924, 926, 928 could even be identical. Similarly,Other Information 920, 921, 923, 925, 927 and 929 can also be priorencoded, where all arrive from one channel coder. The encoding may beperformed using a turbo encoder using known techniques. Modulators 914and 919 can be selected from BPSK, QPSK, 8-PSK, 16 QAM, 64 QAM, sequencemodulation, or any other digital modulation techniques. This, however,is not mandatory. Channelizers 908, 909, 910, 911, 912, and 913 can bethe described Channelizer 221 in FIG. 2. Note that other embodiments ofChannelizers are possible, including variations of 221, such as removingthe Transform Precoder. Note that, in FIG. 9, the PrioritizedInformation 924 is transmitted in the symbol 903, which is adjacent tothe RS symbol 904. Similarly, the Prioritized Information 926 istransmitted in the symbol 905, which is adjacent to the RS symbol 904.In addition, note that Prioritized Information 922 is transmitted in thesymbol 902, which is second-adjacent to the RS symbol, and PrioritizedInformation 928 is transmitted in the symbol 906, which is alsosecond-adjacent to the RS symbol 904. This is tolerable since thesecond-adjacent symbol to the RS still maintains a substantial amount ofchannel coherence from the RS. Thus, in certain cases, it is possible touse the second-adjacent symbol to the RS. Thus, the FIG. 9 can representa slot structure for joint transmission of Control Information and otherInformation on the physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH).

Note that, when Prioritized Information is transmitted in the PUSCH,certain samples (in the base-band) of the Other Information may have tobe punctured, in order to provide space for Prioritized Information.This puncturing can be pre-arranged and according the 3GPP puncturingconvention described in the specification. However, since OtherInformation can already be encoded, it is typically possible to inferthe Other Information (as well) at the receiver.

Referring still to FIG. 9, as discussed earlier prioritized controlinformation can be mapped surrounding the DM RS in decreasing order ofpriority. For instance, ACKNAK can be immediately surrounding the RS.Then, the next can be rank information, which is then surrounding theACKNAK information, etc. In this case, ACKNAK information 924, 926 maybe sent with other information 923, 925 as described with respect toTable 1 and Table 2 and then located in symbols 903 and 905 immediatelyadjacent DM RS symbol 904. Similarly, rank information 922, 928 may besent with other information 921, 927 as described with respect to Table3 and Table 4 and then located in symbols 902 and 906 to therebysurround the ACKNAK symbols 903, 905 and DM RS symbol 904.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of mobile user equipment (UE) 1000 for use inthe network of 1200. Digital baseband (DBB) unit 1002 can include adigital processing processor system (DSP) that includes embedded memoryand security features. Stimulus Processing (SP) unit 1004 receives avoice data stream from handset microphone 1013 a and sends a voice datastream to handset mono speaker 1013 b. SP unit 1004 also receives avoice data stream from microphone 1014 a and sends a voice data streamto mono headset 1014 b. Usually, SP and DBB are separate ICs. In mostembodiments, SP does not embed a programmable processor core, butperforms processing based on configuration of audio paths, filters,gains, etc being setup by software running on the DBB. In an alternateembodiment, SP processing is performed on the same processor thatperforms DBB processing. In another embodiment, a separate DSP or othertype of processor performs SP processing.

RF transceiver 1006 includes a receiver for receiving a stream of codeddata frames and commands from a cellular base station via antenna 1007and a transmitter for transmitting a stream of coded data frames to thecellular base station via antenna 1007. Transmission of the PUSCH datais performed by the transceiver using the PUSCH resources designated bythe serving NodeB. In some embodiments, frequency hopping may be impliedby using two or more bands as commanded by the serving NodeB. In thisembodiment, a single transceiver can support multi-standard operation(such as EUTRA and other standards) but other embodiments may usemultiple transceivers for different transmission standards. Otherembodiments may have transceivers for a later developed transmissionstandard with appropriate configuration. RF transceiver 1006 isconnected to DBB 1002 which provides processing of the frames of encodeddata being received and transmitted by the mobile UE unite 1000.

Note that the EUTRA defines SC-FDMA (via DFT-spread OFDMA) as the uplinkmodulation, which is reflected in the described embodiments of theChannelizer 201 in FIG. 2. The basic SC-FDMA DSP radio can includediscrete Fourier transform (DFT), resource (i.e. tone) mapping, and IFFT(fast implementation of IDFT) to form a data stream for transmission. Toreceive the data stream from the received signal, the SC-FDMA radio caninclude DFT, resource de-mapping and IFFT. The operations of DFT, IFFTand resource mapping/de-mapping may be performed by instructions storedin memory 1012 and executed by DBB 1002 in response to signals receivedby transceiver 1006. Likewise, selection of how to map PriorityInformation (PI) and which channel to use (PUSCH or PUCCH) may beperformed by instructions stored in memory 1012 and executed by DBB1002.

DBB unit 1002 may send or receive data to various devices connected touniversal serial bus (USB) port 1026. DBB 1002 can be connected tosubscriber identity module (SIM) card 1010 and stores and retrievesinformation used for making calls via the cellular system. DBB 1002 canalso connected to memory 1012 that augments the onboard memory and isused for various processing needs. DBB 1002 can be connected toBluetooth baseband unit 1030 for wireless connection to a microphone1032 a and headset 1032 b for sending and receiving voice data. DBB 1002can also be connected to display 1020 and can send information to it forinteraction with a user of the mobile UE 1000 during a call process.Display 1020 may also display pictures received from the network, from alocal camera 1026, or from other sources such as USB 1026. DBB 1002 mayalso send a video stream to display 1020 that is received from varioussources such as the cellular network via RF transceiver 1006 or camera1026. DBB 1002 may also send a video stream to an external video displayunit via encoder 1022 over composite output terminal 1024. Encoder unit1022 can provide encoding according to PAL/SECAM/NTSC video standards.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating operation of a NodeB and amobile UE in the network system of 1200. As shown in FIG. 11, wirelessnetworking system 1100 comprises a mobile UE device 1101 incommunication with a NodeB 1102. The mobile UE device 1101 may representany of a variety of devices such as a server, a desktop computer, alaptop computer, a cellular phone, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), asmart phone or other electronic devices. In some embodiments, theelectronic mobile UE device 1101 communicates with the NodeB 1102 basedon a LTE or E-UTRAN protocol. Alternatively, another communicationprotocol now known or later developed can be used.

As shown, the mobile UE device 1101 comprises a processor 1103 coupledto a memory 1107 and a Transceiver 1104. The memory 1107 stores(software) applications 1105 for execution by the processor 1103. Theapplications 1105 could comprise any known or future application usefulfor individuals or organizations. As an example, such applications 1105could be categorized as operating systems (OS), device drivers,databases, multimedia tools, presentation tools, Internet browsers,e-mailers, Voice-Over-Internet Protocol (VoIP) tools, file browsers,firewalls, instant messaging, finance tools, games, word processors orother categories. Regardless of the exact nature of the applications1105, at least some of the applications 1105 may direct the mobile UEdevice 1101 to transmit UL signals to the NodeB (base-station) 1102periodically or continuously via the transceiver 1104. In at least someembodiments, the mobile UE device 1101 identifies a Quality of Service(QoS) requirement when requesting an uplink resource from the NodeB1102. In some cases, the QoS requirement may be implicitly derived bythe NodeB 1102 from the type of traffic supported by the mobile UEdevice 1101. As an example, VoIP and gaming applications often involvelow-latency uplink (UL) transmissions while High Throughput(HTP)/Hypertext Transmission Protocol (HTTP) traffic can involvehigh-latency uplink transmissions.

As shown in FIG. 11, the transceiver 1104 comprises uplink logic 1106.The uplink logic executes instructions how to map Priority Information(PI) that is combined with other information as described in more detailabove and which channel to use (PUSCH or PUCCH). Some of theseinstructions may be stored in memory 1107 and executed when needed. Aswould be understood by one of skill in the art, the components of theUplink Logic 1106 may involve the physical (PHY) layer and/or the MediaAccess Control (MAC) layer of the transceiver 1104.

As shown in FIG. 11, the NodeB 1102 comprises a Processor 1109 coupledto a memory 1113 and a transceiver 1110. The memory 1113 storesapplications 1108 for execution by the processor 1109. The applications1108 could comprise any known or future application useful for managingwireless communications. At least some of the applications 1108 maydirect the base-station to manage transmissions to or from the userdevice 1101. In particular, NodeB 1102 is operable to receive symbolsfrom UE 109 which contain prioritized control information combined withother information located adjacent or near adjacent an RS symbol. TheNodeB is operable to recover the priority information and the otherinformation, based upon interleaving schemes agree to between the NodeBand the UE.

Transceiver 1110 comprises an uplink Resource Manager 1122, whichenables the NodeB 1102 to selectively allocate uplink PUSCH resources tothe user device 1101. As would be understood by one of skill in the art,the components of the uplink resource manager 1112 may involve thephysical (PHY) layer and/or the Media Access Control (MAC) layer of thetransceiver 1110. Transceiver 1110 includes a Receiver 1111 forreceiving transmissions from various UE within range of the NodeB.

FIG. 13 is a flow diagram illustrating uplink transmission in thenetwork system of FIG. 12. Under various circumstances, a physicaluplink shared channel (PUSCH) is allocated from a transmitter to areceiver, using the format of FIG. 1. The channel has at least one timeslot with each time slot having a plurality of symbols. Each symbol isgenerated from at least one digital sample. Each slot contains at leastone reference symbol (RS) as illustrated in FIG. 1.

As information is provided for transmission on the uplink channel,prioritized information is classified 1304 to distinguish it from theother information. As discussed earlier, prioritized information may beACKNACK information, CQI information, Rank information, PMI information,SRI information, or other types of critical system information.

Once classified, digital samples are produced 1306 using an element ofthe prioritized information (PI), as described with regard to FIGS. 3-9.Furthermore, the PI may be combined with portions of the otherinformation to form prioritized samples, as described with regard toFIGS. 8 and 9. These samples are then used generate 1308 a prioritysymbol as described with respect to FIG. 2 and FIGS. 3-9 using achannelizer module. The channelizer module may be implemented inhardware circuitry, by execution of instructions on a processor withappropriate hardware support, or various combinations of hardware andsoftware. As discussed earlier, priority symbols may include onlypriority information, or a combination of priority and otherinformation.

The priority symbols are transmitted 1312 via the PUSCH by placing thepriority symbol in close proximity to a reference symbol. It ispreferable to locate the priority symbol such that separation of thepriority symbol and a reference symbol does not exceed a time durationof one symbol, t(s). As discussed with regard to FIGS. 3-9, the prioritysymbol(s) may be located directly before or after the RS, or one symbolaway from the RS. Two priority symbols may be located immediately beforeor/and after an RS. Symbols containing the other information aretransmitted on available locations in the uplink channel format. In oneembodiment, a symbol containing ACKNAK information combined with aportion of other information is placed adjacent the RS, while a symbolcontaining rank information combined with a portion of the otherinformation is placed adjacent the ACKNAK symbol.

FIG. 14 is a flow diagram illustrating another embodiment of uplinktransmission in the network of FIG. 12. Generally, when a UE firstenters a cell, a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) is established1402 between the UE and the eNB. This may require an autonomous requestvia the non-synchronized physical random access channel (PRACH) in orderto establish communication between the UE and eNB. A physical uplinkshared channel (PUSCH) is also established 1404. The Physical UplinkShared Channel (PUSCH) can be dynamically scheduled. This means thattime-frequency resources of PUSCH are re-allocated every sub-frame. Thisre-allocation is found in the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH).Alternatively, resources of the PUSCH can be allocated semi-statically,via the mechanism of persistent scheduling. Thus, any giventime-frequency PUSCH resource can possibly be used by any mobile UE,depending on the scheduler allocation. Physical Uplink Control Channel(PUCCH) is different than the PUSCH, and the PUCCH is used fortransmission of uplink control information (UCI). Frequency resourceswhich are allocated for PUCCH are found at the two extreme edges of theuplink spectrum. In contrast, frequency resources which are used forPUSCH are in between. Since PUSCH is designed for transmission of userdata, re-transmissions are possible, and PUSCH is expected to begenerally scheduled with less stand-alone sub-frame reliability thanPUCCH.

If data is not available for transmission 1406, then control informationis transmitted 1408 from the UE to the eNB using the PUCCH, as describedearlier.

If data is available for transmission 1406, then priority informationsuch as control information is mapped 1410 to one or more symbolsadjacent an RS symbol using a Channelizer as discussed above withreference to FIG. 3-9. Prioritized control information can be mappedsurrounding the DM RS in decreasing order of priority. For instance,ACKNAK can be immediately surrounding the RS. Then, the next can be RI,which is then surrounding the ACKNAK information, etc. The priorityinformation is then transmitted 1412 from the UE to the eNB using thePUSCH.

At any given time, the UE uses only either the control channel (PUCCH)or the shared channel (PUSCH) for transmission of control informationand data information. By only using one channel at any given time,peak-to-average power levels are maintained at lower levels.

FIG. 15 is a flow diagram illustrating yet another embodiment of uplinktransmission in the network of FIG. 12. Generally, when a UE firstenters a cell, a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) is established1502 between the UE and the eNB. This may require an autonomous requestvia the non-synchronized physical random access channel (PRACH) in orderto establish communication between the UE and eNB.

Depending on operating mode, a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH)may also be allocated. The PUSCH may be allocated in response to arequest by the UE, or may be allocated in response to a command ordirective by the eNB. In other modes of operation, no PUSCH isallocated. If a UE determines 1506 that a PUSCH is not allocated, thenthe UE transmits 1508 control information on the PUCCH.

If the UE determines 1506 that a PUSCH has been established between itand the eNB, then, then priority information such as control informationis mapped 1510 to one or more symbols adjacent to or within one symboltime (T) of an RS symbol using a Channelizer as discussed above withreference to FIGS. 3-9. The priority information is then transmitted1512 from the UE to the eNB using the PUSCH.

If other information is available for transmission from the UE, thensymbols representing the other information are transmitted 1512 on thePUSCH in available symbol locations, as discussed with reference toFIGS. 3-9. As discussed above, priority information and otherinformation may also be combined in a priority symbol and mapped 1510adjacent an RS symbol for transmission 1512.

At any given time, the UE uses only either the control channel (PUCCH)or the shared channel (PUSCH) for transmission of control informationand data information. By only using one channel at any given time,peak-to-average power levels are maintained at lower levels.

As used herein, the term “coupled” or “connected,” means electricallyconnected, wire-line or wireless, including where additional elementsmay be in the electrical connection path. While the invention has beendescribed with reference to illustrative embodiments, this descriptionis not intended to be construed in a limiting sense. Various otherembodiments of the invention will be apparent to persons skilled in theart upon reference to this description. It is therefore contemplatedthat the appended claims will cover most such modifications of theembodiments as fall within the true scope and spirit of the invention.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method for operating a communicationsapparatus, comprising: mapping a Rank Indicator (RI) control signal to afirst symbol; mapping an ACK/NACK control signal to a second symbol;mapping a reference signal (RS) control to a third symbol, wherein thefirst, second and third symbols are consecutive in time; andtransmitting a sequence of symbols wherein the Rank Indicator (RI)control signal is mapped to the first symbol, the ACK/NACK controlsignal is mapped to the second symbol and the reference signal (RS)control signal is mapped to the third symbol.
 2. The method of claim 1,further comprising: mapping the ACK/NACK control signal to a fourthsymbol; and mapping the Rank Indicator (RI) control signal to a fifthsymbol, wherein the first, second, third, fourth and fifth symbols areconsecutive in time.
 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:encoding physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) data using a turboencoder; and mapping the encoded PUSCH data to a sixth symbol and to aseventh symbol, wherein the sixth, first, second, third, fourth, fifthand seventh symbols are consecutive in time.
 4. The method of claim 3,further comprising: transmitting the encoded PUSCH data using at leastone of the symbols from the set {first, second, fourth, fifth}.
 5. Themethod of claim 1, wherein mapping the ACK/NACK comprises: receiving atleast one data packet; and producing the ACK/NACK by performing errordetection on the received data packet.
 6. The method of claim 5, whereinperforming error detection comprises a circular redundancy check (CRC)decoding.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein mapping the Rank Indicator(RI) comprises: receiving a first downlink reference signal (DLRS) froma first antenna port; receiving a second downlink reference signal(DLRS) from a second antenna port; and producing the RI using thereceived first DLRS and on the received second DLRS.
 8. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the first, second & third symbols are modulationsymbols.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein consecutive in time means thefirst symbol is first in time, the second symbol is second in time, andthe third symbol is third in time.
 10. The method of claim 2, whereinconsecutive in time means the fourth symbol is fourth in time, the fifthsymbol is fifth in time, and the sixth symbol is sixth in time.
 11. Themethod of claim 3, wherein consecutive in time means the sixth symbol isfirst in time, the first symbol is second in time, the second symbol isthird in time, the third symbol is fourth in time, the fourth symbol isfifth in time, the fifth symbol is sixth in time, and the seventh symbolis sixth in time.
 12. A method for demodulating in a wireless apparatus,comprising: receiving a sequence of symbols wherein a Rank Indicator(RI) control signal is mapped to a first symbol, an ACK/NACK controlsignal is mapped to a second symbol and a reference signal (RS) controlsignal is mapped to a third symbol; processing the reference signal (RS)using the first symbol; demodulating the ACK/NACK using the secondsymbol; and demodulating the Rank Indicator (RI) using the third symbol,wherein symbols first, second and third are consecutive in time.
 13. Themethod of claim 12, further comprising: demodulating the ACK/NACK usinga fourth symbol; and demodulating the Rank Indicator (RI) using a fifthsymbol, wherein symbols first, second, third, fourth and fifth areconsecutive in time.
 14. The method of claim 13, further comprisingdemodulating the encoded PUSCH data using symbols a sixth symbol and aseventh symbol, wherein the sixth, first, second, third, fourth, fifthand seventh symbols are consecutive in time; and decoding the PUSCH datausing a turbo decoder.
 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:demodulating the encoded PUSCH data using at least one of the symbolsfrom the set {first, second, third, fourth, fifth}.
 16. The method ofclaim 12, further comprising: transmitting at least one data packet thatis used to produce the ACK/NACK.
 17. The method of claim 12, furthercomprising: transmitting a first reference signal (RS) from a firstantenna port; and transmitting a second reference signal (RS) from asecond antenna port, wherein the received RI is responsive to the firstRS and to the second RS.
 18. The method of claim 12, wherein the first,second & third symbols are modulation symbols.
 19. The method of claim12, wherein consecutive in time means the third symbol is first in time,the second symbol is second in time, and the first symbol is third intime.
 20. The method of claim 13, wherein consecutive in time means thefourth symbol is fourth in time, the fifth symbol is fifth in time andthe sixth symbol is sixth in time.
 21. The method of claim 14 whereinconsecutive in time means the sixth symbol is first in time, the firstsymbol is second in time, the second symbol is third in time, the thirdsymbol is fourth in time, the fourth symbol is fifth in time, the fifthsymbol is sixth in time, and the seventh symbol is sixth in time.
 22. Anapparatus for use in a wireless network, comprising: circuitry formapping a Rank Indicator (RI) control signal to a first symbol;circuitry for mapping an ACK/NACK control signal to a second symbol;circuitry for mapping a reference signal (RS) control signal to a thirdsymbol, wherein the first, second and third modulation symbols areconsecutive in time; and circuitry for transmitting a sequence ofsymbols wherein the Rank Indicator (RI) control signal is mapped to thefirst symbol, the ACK/NACK control signal is mapped to the second symboland the reference signal (RS) control signal is mapped to the thirdsymbol.
 23. The apparatus of claim 22 being a cellular telephone.
 24. Anapparatus for use in a cellular network, comprising: receiving asequence of symbols wherein a Rank Indicator (RI) control signal ismapped to a first symbol, an ACK/NACK control signal is mapped to asecond symbol and a reference signal (RS) control signal is mapped to athird symbol; circuitry for processing the reference signal (RS) usingthe first symbol; circuitry for demodulating the ACK/NACK using thesecond symbol; and circuitry for demodulating the Rank Indicator (RI)using the third symbol, wherein symbols first, second and third areconsecutive in time.
 25. The apparatus of claim 24 being a NodeB.